The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-09-28

neia, as he encountered her on the We
randa upon his return to the house.
When she had seated herself at his
feet, in an attitude of deep detection,
he related what had passed between
himself and Washington Morton, add
ing, My wishes will, of course, be
respected. Promise me to have moth
ing hereafter to do with him, either by
word or letter" 1 cannot, SIR" was
the quick response. "Whatl do you
mean to disobey me?" 81 mean that
cannot bind myself to any such pledge
as you name, and-I will not"
To chronicle the scene that followed
would not be an easy task. General
SCHUYLER, whose word was law in his
family, nearly lost his breath. He was
amazed beyond expression and took
measures to compel the obedience so
unexpectedly withheld by his hitherto
amiable and dutiful daughter. Wash
ington Morton, however, was not a
man to be turned from his purpose by
any such obstacle. He soon found a
method whereby to smuggle letter
into the hands of the young lady, in
which all a lovers fond hopes and
blissful anticipations were depicted in
glowing colors. He also gave her the
plan of his future course of action and
asked for her cooperation, which was
not denied.
Days and weeks passed on. The foil
age was beginning to assume its autumn
styles, and the cool days of October
were being welcomed with cordial fires
in the old Schuyler mansion. One
night, when the stars were shining
peacefully from cloudless sky, the
lover came for his bride. The hour
was midnight. The lights had long
since been extinguished in the Albany
homes, and deep silence throughout the
ancient city was unbroken by voice or
footstep. Presently two figures wrapped
in cloaks were moving swiftly along
the deserted streets. One was of
princely bearing, the other 1.-THE and
graceful. In front of the Schuyler
house they paused, sprang lightly over
the fence upon the velvety turf of the
yard and gave a signal. A window was
gently and slowly raised; one of the
gentlemen threw up rope, which was
caught and tied; rope-ladder was
drawn up, and after a few minutes
again lowered. The gentlemen pulled
forcibly to ascertain that it was securely
fastened, and Cornelia Schuyler stepped
out upon the ladder and slowly accom-
pljshed her descent in safety. A rapid
walk followed, and in a few moments
the party reached the shores of the
Hudson, where a small row-boat was in
waiting to convey them to the opposite
shore. AS they landed pair of fine
horses were to be seen paving the
earth impatiently. The young lady
was lifted upon one of these, and her
gallant cavalier mounted the other
who had assisted in the escapade and
rode off gaily toward the rising sun.
Between thirty and forty miles distant
was the town of Stockbridge, and
straightway to the home of Judge Theo-
dore Sedgwick the runaways proceeded,
as he was the common and intimate
friend of both families. Presenting
themselves before that excellent magis-
trate, who doubted the evidence of his
own eyes when he beheld the singular
apparition, they told the story of their
engagement and their flight OF course
there was but one thing to do. The
clergyman of the place was summoned
to the Sedgwick homestead, and the
handsome twain were made one with
all convenient dispatch. 1t was a sad
blow to General Schuyler, and many
months elapsed before he consented to
indulge in forgiving spirit; but he
loved his daughter and had in reality
no very grave objections to her dashing
husband further than his youth-which
with time enough, might be cured-and
in the end he yielded to what he could
not help with the best grace that he
could master. Mrs. Martha j. Lamb
IN Magazine Of american History.